Trip

Day Hike - Kendall Katwalk

Join the Tacoma Hiking and Backpacking Committee on a hike to see an amazing section of the PCT - the only part blasted out of a mountain side! Along the way you should also see some wonderful wild flowers.

Unfortunately, we must start early for this hike. The parking lot gets full really early because this is the best time of the year to see the wildflowers in the Kendall Gardens area which is on the way to the Katwalk.

First meeting option is 5:45am at the SouthFederal Way Park and Ride; 901 S 348thSt.,Federal Way, WA, 98003. Second meeting option is around 6:30am at the Safeway in North Bend, 460 SW Mt Si Blvd, North Bend, WA 98045.We can consolidate in cars as appropriate and then drive to the trailhead that is just off I-90, Exit 52. Trailhead lot is limited so would recommend carpooling to there from one of these 2 meeting places but, if needed, someone can meet us at trailhead which is right off Exit 52, I-90 sometime between 7:00 and 7:15am. I would like to get on the trail before 7:45am to get to Kendall Katwalk even if going slow (1.5 miles per hour) somewhere around noon.

This is a challenging hike but also breathtaking hike at times. We will likely go up slow (1.5 miles per hour) to ensure everyone has time to take all the pictures they wish of both the views and the wildflowers. When we get to Kendall Katwalk, we will take time for lunch, to walk the Katwalk, and just look around. Expect to travel faster on the way down (2 miles per hour). Please make sure that you are comfortable and prepared to hike at around 2 mile per hour on a potentially hot day for such a fairly long high elevation hike.

This will be an all day hike so bring the amount of food/water needed for such a hike. This could mean packing in a large amount of water on a hot day. There are places available to filter water but they are located in the first 3 miles so will need to carry water to drink for several miles. If it ends up as a hot day, I would recommend you carry 3 or 4 liters of water.

OPTIONAL POST HIKE STOP: DruBru, a brewery with a food truck right beside it. Located less than 1 mile from trailhead. Great beer; burgers and non-meat snacks at food truck. Keep this in mind when arranging carpool options; make sure that all in the vehicle may or may not want to stop.